View Poll Results: Which tires?
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Help pick tires
The Comp 2s are also a good choice given your budget. You lose something compared to the Extreme Perf tires, but the drop off isn't like it is from R compound to even the Extreme stuff.
I'm thinking of going with the Comp 2s or the Nitto 555s on my Nissan. The 555s are old, but proven, and the Comp 2s are a step up in every way.
I'm thinking of going with the Comp 2s or the Nitto 555s on my Nissan. The 555s are old, but proven, and the Comp 2s are a step up in every way.
I think I have narrowed it down to the NT05 and the MT Street Comp. I can get either for $145/tire with free shipping (with just a quick search). The MT's are pretty new, and I haven't heard of anyone running them on a F-body yet. Edit: this guy got a 1.9 60' on the MT's and gave me a good review on them via PM. https://ls1tech.com/forums/12-second...just-made.html
Just going off the tread rating and tread depth I assume the NT05s would hook up and corner better than the MT Street Comps, but the MT's would last longer, ride better, and be quieter.
Just going off the tread rating and tread depth I assume the NT05s would hook up and corner better than the MT Street Comps, but the MT's would last longer, ride better, and be quieter.
Last edited by z-maro; Jun 22, 2014 at 09:39 PM.
I wouldn't look at those treadwear ratings. They are total BS. They are mildly helpful when comparing tires from within a company, but are useless when cross-comparing brands since every manufacturer applies the standards differently to their tire.
I will tell you the NT05 are great tires, but they will be bald well before 20k miles. I have no idea on the MTs.
The 555Rs would probably last longer than the NT05. Seriously.
I will tell you the NT05 are great tires, but they will be bald well before 20k miles. I have no idea on the MTs.
The 555Rs would probably last longer than the NT05. Seriously.
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 173
Likes: 1
Toyo R1R is not a R-compound or drag radial. I think you're thinking of the Toyo RA1.
Tire Rack and Toyo themselves list the R1R as an Extreme Performance Summer tire... right there with the Bridgestone RE-11 and Kumho Ecsta XS.
Tire Rack and Toyo themselves list the R1R as an Extreme Performance Summer tire... right there with the Bridgestone RE-11 and Kumho Ecsta XS.
Launching!
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 284
Likes: 1
From: Pembroke pines FL
I wasn't aware you were looking in the 17" size range. Of the tires that you have listed in your poll, the Kumho Ecsta XS are the best all out performer. My experience with these tires is first hand witnessing and driven a bit in my cousin's EVO X MR. This is a heavy car being about 100 to 200lbs heavier than our Fbodys and with a 255 width and 18" rim, the tires stuck like glue.
If you look at tirerack test results, while they currently have a best lap time with the new Dunlop Direzza ZII, the Kumho XS is right behind it and it still holds the record for highest lateral G's ever recorded by tirerack. The NT05 do not hold a candle to the Kumho XS on the autox, and you will find many autox guys backing this up if you google Kumho XS vs Nt05.
If you look at tirerack test results, while they currently have a best lap time with the new Dunlop Direzza ZII, the Kumho XS is right behind it and it still holds the record for highest lateral G's ever recorded by tirerack. The NT05 do not hold a candle to the Kumho XS on the autox, and you will find many autox guys backing this up if you google Kumho XS vs Nt05.
To answer your questions. My NT-05's have been on for 2 years and less then 4000 miles. Have liked them very much. I nearly went with the Toyo R1-R and Ecsta XS, but the NT-05 fit the budget better. Nitto is a Toyo subsidiary, and would not be shocked if the NT-05 and R1-R are very similar given the same parent company and class of tire.
I wasn't aware you were looking in the 17" size range. Of the tires that you have listed in your poll, the Kumho Ecsta XS are the best all out performer. My experience with these tires is first hand witnessing and driven a bit in my cousin's EVO X MR. This is a heavy car being about 100 to 200lbs heavier than our Fbodys and with a 255 width and 18" rim, the tires stuck like glue.
If you look at tirerack test results, while they currently have a best lap time with the new Dunlop Direzza ZII, the Kumho XS is right behind it and it still holds the record for highest lateral G's ever recorded by tirerack. The NT05 do not hold a candle to the Kumho XS on the autox, and you will find many autox guys backing this up if you google Kumho XS vs Nt05.
If you look at tirerack test results, while they currently have a best lap time with the new Dunlop Direzza ZII, the Kumho XS is right behind it and it still holds the record for highest lateral G's ever recorded by tirerack. The NT05 do not hold a candle to the Kumho XS on the autox, and you will find many autox guys backing this up if you google Kumho XS vs Nt05.
To answer your questions. My NT-05's have been on for 2 years and less then 4000 miles. Have liked them very much. I nearly went with the Toyo R1-R and Ecsta XS, but the NT-05 fit the budget better. Nitto is a Toyo subsidiary, and would not be shocked if the NT-05 and R1-R are very similar given the same parent company and class of tire.
I appreciate all the input!
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I got over 10K out of the NT-555R which is softer than the NT-05. Can you burn up an NT-05 in less than 10K, sure, but you would probably have to be pretty hard on them. I am at 2 years and maybe 3500 miles. They look just fine.
I just want to make sure that I get something that hooks up better than my aged BFG KDW's. I am sick of the rear end kicking out in second and when shifting hard into third, with only 350 rwhp. My LCA's do slightly angle down towards the front of the car so maybe that's my problem and I need some relocation brackets.
The NT-05's roll over easier than the Drag Radials did. They hold a second gear hit pretty well with 380 rwhp. I am not side stepping the clutch though, as I worry about the Street Twin grenading my 10-bolt. Third gear is no problem.
Well I pulled the trigger, thanks for all your input! Discount tire direct was running a special so I got 4 NT05's for $583.08 to the door, plus a $50 pre paid visa rebate.
Now just to decide to get them mounted at the local discount tire for $16/wheel, or a more performance/non-chain shop for $90-150 (for less chance of my rims getting scratched). Also need to decide on alignment specs...
Now just to decide to get them mounted at the local discount tire for $16/wheel, or a more performance/non-chain shop for $90-150 (for less chance of my rims getting scratched). Also need to decide on alignment specs...
I have kdw's now and they are great tires. My buddy also has nt05's. Honestly the nt05's hook a TAD better in the dry but between the 2 I'd take my kdw's. They hook almost as well and come with a lot more tread and in the rain the nt05's can get a little scary, the KDW's are without a doubt one of the best performance tires i've driven in rain. Mine are just about worn out though, I have a set of the new BFG g-force rivals on the way. Supposedly its the best hooking tire thats not a DR compound and still offers good performance in rain. Worth a look also
Same here. I could spend $64 to get them done at a discount tire, but when I ask if they have any guarantee to not scratch my rims they simply responded "no" and with a poor attitude in my opinion. Its $98 at a place that handles more aftermarket stuff, and when asking about scratching my rims the guy responded "our machines won't even touch your rims." I don't think the risk is worth $34 to me.
Hopefully my KDW's were just old when I got the car, because I had traction issues when completely stock. I do like the idea of the rivals, but last I checked they don't make our 275/40/r17 size.
I have kdw's now and they are great tires. My buddy also has nt05's. Honestly the nt05's hook a TAD better in the dry but between the 2 I'd take my kdw's. They hook almost as well and come with a lot more tread and in the rain the nt05's can get a little scary, the KDW's are without a doubt one of the best performance tires i've driven in rain. Mine are just about worn out though, I have a set of the new BFG g-force rivals on the way. Supposedly its the best hooking tire thats not a DR compound and still offers good performance in rain. Worth a look also
My alignment is:
-1 camber on both sides
Had the caster turned up 4 or 4.5
Toe is right around 0
She is a little happy on the interstate but turn in is awesome.
Happy meaning darty, or what?
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 587
Likes: 12
From: Connecticut SE shore
Just be sure to make it a point with the service manager that you won't tolerate a wheel scrape. If the guys are careful it shouldn't happen (ie don't drop the wheels rim side down/on top of each other or be careless with the wheel clamp on the balance machine). If you're clear up front with what you expect they should be responsible for paying for repairs due to scrapes, chips, etc.